CVE-2020-29508 in BSAFE Crypto-C Micro Edition
Summary
by MITRE • 07/12/2022
Dell BSAFE Crypto-C Micro Edition, versions before 4.1.5, and Dell BSAFE Micro Edition Suite,
versions before 4.6, contain an Improper Input Validation Vulnerability.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 07/21/2022
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2020-29508 affects Dell BSAFE Crypto-C Micro Edition and Dell BSAFE Micro Edition Suite products, representing a critical weakness in input validation mechanisms that could compromise cryptographic security operations. This flaw exists in versions prior to 4.1.5 for Crypto-C Micro Edition and 4.6 for the broader Micro Edition Suite, indicating a widespread issue across multiple cryptographic libraries used in enterprise security implementations. The vulnerability falls under the category of improper input validation, which is classified as CWE-20 by the Common Weakness Enumeration system and represents one of the most prevalent classes of software vulnerabilities that can lead to severe security consequences.
The technical flaw manifests when the affected cryptographic libraries fail to properly validate input parameters during cryptographic operations, potentially allowing malicious actors to inject malformed data that could disrupt normal cryptographic processes or bypass security checks. This improper validation can occur during certificate processing, key generation, or encryption/decryption operations where the software does not adequately sanitize or verify the integrity of incoming data before processing. The vulnerability creates opportunities for attackers to manipulate cryptographic functions through carefully crafted inputs that exploit the lack of robust validation mechanisms within the BSAFE libraries.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends significantly across organizations relying on Dell BSAFE libraries for security operations, as it could enable attackers to compromise the integrity of cryptographic processes that protect sensitive data, communications, and authentication systems. Organizations using these cryptographic libraries for securing network communications, digital signatures, or data encryption may find their security posture weakened, potentially allowing unauthorized access to protected information or system compromise. The vulnerability's exploitation could result in man-in-the-middle attacks, data tampering, or authentication bypass scenarios that directly threaten the confidentiality, integrity, and availability of critical enterprise systems. Security professionals should consider this vulnerability as a potential entry point for advanced persistent threats that could leverage the cryptographic weaknesses to establish long-term access to target environments.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2020-29508 should prioritize immediate upgrade to patched versions of Dell BSAFE Crypto-C Micro Edition 4.1.5 or later, and Dell BSAFE Micro Edition Suite 4.6 or later, as these releases contain the necessary input validation fixes. Organizations should conduct comprehensive inventory assessments to identify all systems utilizing affected BSAFE libraries and implement monitoring for suspicious cryptographic operations that might indicate exploitation attempts. Additionally, security teams should consider implementing network segmentation and access controls around systems that rely on these cryptographic libraries, while also reviewing existing security policies to ensure proper input validation practices are maintained in custom applications that interface with the affected components. The vulnerability's classification aligns with ATT&CK technique T1552.001 for unsecured credentials and T1071.004 for application layer protocol traffic, making it particularly relevant for organizations implementing comprehensive threat hunting and incident response procedures.